Intermediate

Intermediate

The Solstice Dance

Happy mid-winter solstice in the southern hemisphere; mid-summer in the north. This is a time to celebrate, appreciate and feel gratitude for the blessings in life. Let's count them! Fuel our goals, aspirations and desires by honoring the connection to life, love, nurturing and joy. Make this whole week a an inner, and outer celebration.

Think of the Solstice Dance as a turning point, symbolic of endings and new beginnings. With the New Moon, Mercury and Chiron closely connected to the o degree Cancer sun (the solstice point), our intentions can magnify. If you focus this energy, there's nothing that can not be accomplished.

Technical Notes

True, but all the Cardinal points of the zodiac, 0 Aries, 0 Cancer, 0 Libra and 0 Capricorn are collectively called the “Aries Point”. If you take a square piece of paper and fold it so each corner is in the same place, you’ll see why.

2) the sun crosses triggers the Draconic Nodes, releasing energy to move you along your path (especially if you know what that path is!).

If you want to fast track your abundance, creativity, well-being, love and enlightenment, then focus your thoughts this week, up to and through the New Moon in Cancer, for maximum results.

Welcome to Karma Course Synastry where we look at the 'karma' or vibration patterns between two people. Before you start the homework, be sure to listen to the call. It is available with the entire series for DL or listening on Talkshoe.

We didn't talk about the Vertex on the call, but I find it significant too in drawing people into our lives that match a patter, or awaken one. Check the post here, and see if you spot any vertex connections in the synastry (accurate birth time is essential).

"...Meetings with significant people, as seen through synastry and composite charts, may also link strongly to the vertex. (Think of people as permanent transits.) When one person’s inner planets or asteroids (Sun through to Jupiter), angles, nodes, vertex or certain Arabic parts conjunct the vertex, there can be a feeling of fate, destiny, rightness or wrongness about the encounter. Something in the contact with that person may have the ability to create profound change over a long or short period of time. The change may be perceived as wonderful, or not so wonderful, but always ‘meant to be.’..."

Call #5 Homework

This is where you can explore any synastry chart combinations that interest you. Try focusing on three things that stand out, or ONE things that stands out. The goal isn't to do a full synastry ready, but to spot a vibration pattern activated in the charts.

Hi everyone, thanks so much everybody who dialed in for the call. If you missed it, or want to listen again, the recording is on the Karma Course TalkShoe page. Bookmark it or ‘follow’ the course for quick and easy access. In the call we talked about the stories we tell, and I wanted to mentioned again several articles/audios for reference.

Let's all support each other by observing (not judging) when we spot a story, perhaps asking, "Is there another story here?"

Jeannette says -

"If you find yourself drawn to repeat the version you don’t like, it may just be law of attraction calling you back to it. (That’s what law of attraction does.) Resolving the situation is just a matter of consciously creating new momentum by engaging a different thought/story.

It could also be that you’re getting some benefit from telling the unwanted version, so you don’t really truly intend to leave it behind. (Like if I keep talking about how all the good guys are taken, then I never risk rejection or failure in a new relationship."

Let's explore what some of the pay offs are of STAYING in a story/pattern. Just notice what they might be, no judgment. We'll talk more about this on the next call.

Homework #3 Discussion

Listen to Call #3 if you haven’t already

Find a story you are telling. Observe it. Tell a different one, if you want to, one that is equally true.

Consider the ideas of Karma, Dharma and Desire as discussed on the call. Can you see these elements at work in any aspect or placement in your chart?

Spot your Saturn, "Lord of Karma" and describe what it is you really plan on being awesome at! Tell a story that supports that energy.

You know by now that these are not exercises in ‘looking for trouble’ because we will find whatever it is we are looking for. Instead, set the INTENTION of discovery, lightness, curiosity and choice. Are there any new insights into your habit patterns or perceptions coming up?

You put your answers here, in the comments, in part or full, or work on your own, whatever feels best.

Example Homework #3

Hi Everyone. I thought it would be fun to revisit the path to the final dispositor.

Definition

A dispositor is a planet that rules the sign another planet is in. The Final Dispositor is just like is sounds, where the buck stops. You can follow the trail of any chart and see where it leads.

Ready to follow the path? In the image above, (based on the chart below) starting at the bottom, Pluto is in Capricorn, ruled by Saturn. Saturn is the dispositor of Pluto.

Saturn is in Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter. Jupiter is the dispositor of Saturn.

Jupiter is in Libra, ruled by Venus. Venus is the dispositor of Jupiter.

Venus is in Pisces, ruled by Neptune and Jupiter. Neptune is the dispositor of Venus (and Venus and Jupiter are in each other's signs, aka mutual reception.)

Neptune is in Pisces, ruled by Neptune.

Moon is in Leo (today) ruled by the Sun. The sun is the dispositor of the Moon.

The Sun and Uranus are in Aries, ruled by Mars. Mars is the dispositor of both.

Mars is in Taurus, ruled by Venus. Venus is the Dispositor of Mars.

Venus is in Pisces, ruled by Neptune. Neptune is the dispositor of Venus.

Q. Can you see where all paths lead and which planet is the Dispositor or the chart?

What does the Final Dispositor Mean?

A. Neptune as the planetary 'final dispositor' means the mystical god of the sea has the final say. See this as a chance to glimpse behind the veil. When you open your mind to the magic of the universe, that which was inanimate comes alive. There is a message there if you stop for a moment and listen.

Note:Dispositors are not used by all astrologers though I find them very insightful, especially from a Law of Attraction perspective. The dispositor of a planet can help pinpoint what things boil down to. Following the path can reveal a major key to the eternal goal: Know Thyself, super helpful in a deliberate creator's evolution.

Another interesting thing to do is find the final dispositor of your Asc. It adds new meaning to 'chart ruler'.

Those taking the "Karma Course" will want to follow the trail of dispositors of their 12th house ruler.

List of Planetary Rulerships

If this is all new to you, don't rush. Take your time to memorize the planetary dignitaries/rulers. Here are the signs and their ruling planets for reference. Also, check out our PDF on Planetary Dignities.

If you have your own chart in front of you, have a go at working out your final dispositor. You might end up with one, or several, or a mutual reception feedback loop (for example I have Moon in Aquarius and Uranus in Cancer so those two are in a continual strange loop, but the rest of my chart boils down to Mercury in Gemini).

Conclusions

Think of your final dispositor as having more strength and purpose in the chart. Their message, what they symbolically need and want and have to offer, can be more important to us than we might first think. Bottom line, when we honour them, life moves forward in a more authentic direction.

Are you sailing with this wind, or against it? Work out your final dispositor and see.

Shout out in the comments if you get stuck or need a hand.

Update (there will be a lot of these with Mercury now Rx)

I've had several emails asking what happens when there is more than one final dispositor, or an endless feedback loop of two or more planets. Here's an example from the lovely Mhr. Let's take a look.

Two rulers - Moon and Saturn - and Sun/Uranus in mutual reception.

In this case, the Moon is its own final dispositor, Saturn disposes everything else by traditional rulership and Sun and Uranus are in a mutual reception (each others sign) loop. Venus by modern ruler is disposed by Sun/Uranus loop AND by Saturn.

We would say that in the emotional realm, the inner world, the Moon in Cancer is very strong. She's super sensitive, aware of others moods, remembers every feeling, and is introverted when it comes to expressing those feelings. (Sun in 4th concurs but look at that Uranus in 10 - pulling at the sun, squaring the Asc - v. extroverted on some level. Career needs to be 'out there', emotions do not. Private.

Then there is Saturn, disposing (traditionally) everything else. More focus on ambition, accomplishment, becoming self-sustaining and individuated.

The mutual reception acts as a circuit breaker if the Moon is too attached to the past, or sun in 4th too attached to family. The Sun and Uranus can swap places, the sun shining in the 10th via individuation, independence and career recognition while Uranus cuts ties with family IF they are holding her back from her own path.

This is just a brief and isolated look at Final Dispositors, but hopefully it gives you an idea of how these rulers can play out in the chart.

Thank you Mhr for the question and putting your chart up.

Another Example of a final dispositor LOOP

In this image you can see Jupiter is in his own sign and there is a perpetual loop between the Sun, Mercury and Venus, all being in each others signs.

Here is Marilyn's chart, so you can follow along. We'll start with the outer planets and work our way in.

Pluto is in Leo which is ruled by the SUN.

SUN is in Virgo, ruled by Mercury.

MERCURY is in Libra ruled by VENUS.

VENUS is in LEO, ruled by the Sun. See the three way LOOP. Sun to Mercury to Venus to Sun. That LOOP is where everything but Jupiter ends up.

Neptune is in Libra, ruled by Venus (back to the Sun-Mercury-Venus loop)

Uranus is in Cancer, ruled by the Moon, ruled by Saturn, ruled by the sun, (back to the Sun-Mercury-Venus loop).

Saturn is in Leo ruled by the sun, (back to the Sun-Mercury-Venus loop).

Jupiter is in Sagittarius, his own sign. Jupiter energy is PURE Saggo.

Mars is in Scorpio (traditional ruler but we're using modern) ruled by Pluto in Leo ruled by the Sun, (back to the Sun-Mercury-Venus loop).

And back to Venus - Mercury - Sun Loop.

Finally, Moon in Capricorn rulerd by Saturn in Leo, ruled by the Sun, (back to the Sun-Mercury-Venus loop).

So all the planets but Jupiter are 'beholding' to the Sun-Mercury-Venus loop.

We don't always end up with a neat, single final dispositor. There can be loops, pairs of mutual receptions AND several planets in their own sign.

You can see through this technique why planets in their own signs are 'stronger' simply because the energy isn't pulled in any other direction.

I wanted to give you all a quick guide for prepping for the Astrology, Reincarnation, Karma and Law of Attraction Course. There isn't much to do, so don't worry if you can't get to it ASAP. Deep breaths. We have lifetimes! :)

The Preferred Horoscope

I would like to see everyone who is going to be participating in the course upload their 'Karma Course' chart in the gallery under Course Examples. That means, choose Course Examples under Select Album.

No, it's not some new chart style, but for the sake of consistency, focus and expediency (Virgo full moon?), I'd like all the charts to have the same essential elements. Here's what to include over at Astro.com, or in your own astro software: Choose your birth data in My Astro, then click EXTENDED CHART SELECTION. Leave it at the default chart style.

For the start of this course, at least, we'll stick to just those additions. No need to put in any additional asteroids, trans Plutos etc. Here's my chart as an example below. If you don't want your data showing, but aren't sure how to edit it out, shoot me your chart and I'll sort it for you.

Uploading your Chart

When you go to upload your chart to the gallery, please put it in the Course Examples Gallery, (chosen under Select Album) so they are all in one place and easy to find.

If you need help, sing out!

Prerequisites

If you are new to astrology and/or the Law of Attraction, please go through the Essentials Course (5 calls). It covers Astro-LOA basics and the roots of astrology, the signs, planets, houses, and aspects.

We'll be talking about the Lunar Nodes in regards to past lives, so if you have any questions about the nodes before we start, fire away.

Additional Prep for the Karma Course

One of my aims for this course is to teach you how to use the astrological chart as a map to awareness, a way to see into your past, release patterns and habits and move forward with grace, integrity and joy. To do this, we will be putting focus on what we desire, while exploring the origins of any kinks that need unraveling. For this part of the prep, I would like you to name three things you'd like to change in your life. They might be inner, like, "my feelings about my family," or outer, like, "My bank balance," or a mix of both.

This give you a chance to pre-pave what you would like to work on in this course. Once we dive in, you might change your mind about what's important to you, but let's all find where we are at, right now, in this red-hot moment. :)

You can post your three things here, or in an email to me and Jeannette, or a completely private journal. All good.

Put your hand up if you want to participate. The rules are simple. To have your chart/question discussed, jump in on the comments. Also, make sure your chart is in the gallery.

This is a supportive learning environment; all questions are valid. We want your input too, on others questions. Have a go!

What is Weekly Chart Chat?

Weekly Chart Chat is where we look at a current manifesting and/or astrological question in your life. For example, we might talk about a transit, natal aspects or synastry in YOUR chart, along with a desire or goal. People ask things like, How can I manifest more money? How do I leverage Saturn transiting my 3rd house? Is this the best time to pitch my book, project, proposal? Do I HAVE to gain weight with Jupiter transiting my Ascendant? Or even, Where are the missing documents?

There are no limits to what you can ask in Chat Chart.

Is there a Weekly Chart Chat Structure?

It’s informal. Just post a few words about the situation. Usually people like to include what they want to manifest along with how they see the transit, synastry, etc helping or getting in the way. Don’t worry. It’s not lengthy or complete. A sentence or two is fine. And then, we are all free to chime in and discuss the best manifesting techniques, the transit ect. Hopefully some great discussions comes from this, with reports of inspirational results!

How to Get Started with Weekly Chart Chat

The Weekly Chart Chat horoscopes, blurbs and discussions are posted here. Your natal chart (sans birth data for privacy, if you like) will be in a mini-gallery on this page, so go ahead and upload your chart in the Align with the Stars gallery, if it isn’t there already. Your question/blurb goes in the comments. It’s great if you include what YOU think is happening. That’s ground zero, where it all begins.

Thank you Shellinthesky for getting the ball rolling. We have some fabulous transits out there right now, and intriguing natal charts. Let’s take a look!

Audio Intro to the Karma Course

What is the Karma Course?

The Karma Course delves into the aspects of your birth chart, along with your sign and house placements, to help unlock mysteries and patterns from the past. References on these philosophies include ancient cultural and religious beliefs, along with contemporary speakers on the subject like Bashar, Abraham-Hicks, Deepak Chopra, and astrologers who work with past lives and karma, including Howard Sasportas, Judy Hall, Isabel Hickey and Edgar Cayce.

The goal is to reveal the core meaning of karma, not as retribution or ‘pay back’ but as synchronicity, an alignment. By understanding the continuity of spirit, and why we have certain patterns and contrasts in our lives, we can learn to change what we don't want, consciously. Right here. Right now.

Karma Course Topics

LOA and Karma

Ideas of Reincarnation and Past Lives

Astrology as a Past Life Clock looking at:

the Sun and Moon

Lunar Nodes

12th houses

Saturn

Conjunctions, sextiles, squares, trines and oppositions

Synastry and Karma

Location and Karma

Asteroid 3811 and Karma

Transits and Progressions

Turning Contrast into Gold

Prerequisites for the Karma Course

You'll receive the most out of the Karma Course if you have a familiarity with the basic building blocks of astrology – the signs, planets, houses and aspects – and how they relate to the law of attraction. If you aren’t confident in these areas, please take our complementary course #1 Essential Astrology and Law of Attraction.

I want to give you an example of asteroid 433 Eros, again, a body I’ve made a special study of over the last 20 + years. To get an idea of how we use Asteroids in Astrology, check this short tutorial - Asteroid Astrology.

And, here is a PDF introduction to Eros in signs, houses and aspect to other planets. With that in hand, you can follow the prompts below to plot 433 Eros in your chart and those of any other natal charts you want to check out. Remember the movie metaphor: Eros is the 'planet' or ACTOR, the sign he's in is his COSTUME. The HOUSE he is in is the set or scene, and the ASPECTS to other planets is the script he's reading.

Finding Asteroid 433 Eros in your chart

3) Create chart and view the asteroid 433 Eros placement. Notice what house number he falls in, and what sign. Again, shout out if you get stuck. Everyone in this community is happy to help.

Asteroid 433 Eros Mystery Chart

For my final mystery chart offering, we have a very interesting man. Study where you see Asteroid 433 Eros in his chart below and discuss when, where, how and why passion awakens for this person. You can have a stab at it based on house, sign and perhaps that other planet that’s conjunct, right next door.

Refer back to the glyph tutorial if you get stuck with the symbols. Asteroid 433 Eros is written out at astro.com, but the glyph for this asteroid is a heart with an arrow through it, of course! Have fun!

Asteroid 433 Eros Mystery Chart Revealed

Your delineations of the Eros (passion) in the 12th house of the dreams, collective unconscious and spiritual service, in the leadership sign of Aries, conjunct the liberator Uranus square the ambitious and pragmatic Saturn in the house of religion . . . they’ve really moved me. So spot on. Thank you everyone who explored this chart.

Now look at it in “hind sight” knowing who it belongs to. Martin Luther King Jr.

This man had a dream indeed . . . I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. A dream he (and Malcom x) knew they would die for.

He inspired millions with his fearless, articulate, arousing, passion. You can say he became a mouthpiece for a collective moment. It doesn’t get more erotic (in the ancient Greek sense of the word) than that.

Where is 433 Eros in your chart? Let's discuss in the comments!

If you want Kim's in depth Eros Natal Astrology Report, check out the details at the Astrology Shop Page.

Hi Everyone, ready to amp up 2017 with a fine tuned, astro-tailored new story?

It’s the end of the year, and with 2017 a few days away, we can all think about telling a new story. I don’t mean putting a splash of energy towards a new vibe, wishful thinking, bling, you’re done. This is about engaging with the idea of what you want and being that vibe, now. No doubts. Zero hesitation. As Octavia Butler writes (above) ‘So be it! See to it!

She wasn’t messing around, and I don’t want us to either.

Octavia Buttler’s New Story in 1988

As an African-American female author in the white/male dominated sci-fi landscape, Octavia E. Butler achieved extraordinary success in her writing career, winning Hugo and Nebula awards and the coveted MacArthur Fellowship ie the “Genius Grant.” What’s really inspiring is, on top of all that, Octavia Butler scripted her success BEFORE it happened. Take a moment to read her script. It’s not humble pleading. No hedging around. Her new story, which clearly she came back to edit a few time, is strong, bold, insistent even! You might say she demanded her success, and her ability to help aspiring writers. It all came true, against huge ‘odds’.

So be it!

See to it!

Spot the Old Story First

The idea is simple. You have a desire and it’s yet to be realized. The longer it takes, the more your old story builds, like:

“I’m not going to make it.”

“All the good ones are gone.”

“I’m not (good/smart/pretty/rich) enough to deserve this.”

It’s easy to know when an old story isn’t serving you. As Jeannette Maw says, you can spot those ‘bad’ stories a mile away by how they feel. And, if the old story has been hanging around for a while, if it’s become a solid BELIEF, your outer circumstances will make if clear. For example, if your story is “Relationships are hard work,” and you are in the thick of a dramatic breakup, your relationship story could use an upgrade.

The Astrology of the New Story

Like Octavia Butler’s example, you can literally write the story as you want it to read, as if it’s already happened. Variations on this range from mantras, affirmations, scripts, vision boards to active imagination and guided meditation. The idea is, you let go of the old story-thoughts-belief and sing in the new.

What impresses me the most about Octavia’s New Story is the confidence from which she writes it. And it all came true!

Example Chart

Let’s look at her horoscope and see where that energy is coming from. What made 1988 the time she chose to get ‘real’ about her intentions. How does this success in writing fits her chart.

The writer in her, indeed the marginalized science fiction writer in here, might be seen as Sun/Uranus in the 12th. She’s not what society expected. Mercury rising is a love/drive to communicate, and my favorite, the North Lunar Node in Gemini, in the 11th.

The Transits

Active when she wrote her new story was transiting Jupiter (expansion) on Mars (action) and Saturn/Uranus (breaking old patterns) both opposite the sun (purpose/identity).

In her solar return chart, Gemini (the written and spoken word AND commerce) rises, bringing her own 12th house to the Ascendant. Her deepest dreams meet the light of day.

What new story do you want to tell in 2017? Join us, GVA Members, to discuss the possibilities on the December 27th Call.

Activate Your Vibration

These are Jeannette’s Vibration Activators – great resources to flip on your positive, confident, and as Janette put it, Puissance!

“The best way to leverage this vibe support is simply to read the post, then let go. Don’t try to “make it happen” or worry if it is. Get to the vibe, then go about having your good time.” – Jeannette
Let’s hear about your 2017 story in the comments!

WEEKEND Astro-LOA Flash

Asteroid 1566 Icarus, orbiting between Mercury and Earth, is conjunct Pluto in Capricorn for the first time since Dec 2015 (see ephemeris below. Icarus is also 'out of bounds'). Taking 409 days to journey through the zodiac, this conjunction can manifest as a desire to take a leaps - right off the edge!

Whatever feels like it's holding you back is your launchpad. Your springboard. From that discontent, you move forward in one, huge, blind leap.

Yes, and even though you may find a creative ‘way out’ of a perceived limitation or obstacle, you'll be rethinking the moves as we roll into 2017.

But that's okay!

You might conclude it was the perfect step to take, or there could be some course correction. Either way, the impulse is to ‘fly free’ will allow your spirit to soar and your life to change for the better.

The Mythos

Image by Pamela Coleman-Smith

Icarus was Daedalus’s son who, ignoring his father’s warning not to fly too close to the sun, lost his feathered wings, fell to the sea and drowned. Not a very successful outcome, though he did escape the prison tower they’d been in for way too long. Some people associate Icarus with a kind of crash and burn mentality. He's like The Fool in the Tarot, not looking where he is going, foolhardy and reckless.

Not me.

I see this energy as freedom. Expansion. Liberation!

True, 1566 Icarus on Pluto can represent some extreme measures, feelings and insights but mainly it represents an attempt to escape intolerable situations. It is the impulse to get out of unfair circumstances, or go for liberating goals that others might say are impossible. Note: It doesn’t have to always end ‘badly’.

What can Icarus conjunct Pluto do for you?

Icarus energy set free can be vivid, creative inspiration. Trapped and he is like a wild bird caged. Ever had that feeling?

It’s like an crazy urge to run like hell when all they’ve said is, sign here, or pick you up at 7, or maybe even I do . . .

Icarus with Pluto is a chance to gain a deeper insight on the ‘flight’ side or our fight or flight response. Where do you feel like flying the coop? Is it fear or instinct or healthy self-awareness?

Take a moment to think about it over the next few days and eliminate a toleration or too. Why? Because tolerating something is not always a virtue. It can be a heavy energy drain. (Read more about Granting Freedom from Tolerations.)

Toleration:To tolerate something means to “allow the existence of, to permit or endure or put up with something.” This implies that the something (or someone) is less than ideal and tends to drain a person’s energy. Thus, a toleration is often a hindering influence to the vibration.

We're here with a tut asteroid astrology, basically the Named Asteroids, what they are and how we can use them in our charts.

Here is a quick Youtube tutorial to get you started, or refreshed.

What is Asteroid Astrology?

There are hundreds of thousands of asteroids, more named every day. They are found between the Sun and Earth, Venus and Jupiter, and Saturn and Neptune. Then there are the KBO’s beyond Pluto and now, with the discovery of Sedna, possibly myriad more Ort Could objects taking over a thousand years to orbit the sun. If we plot them all in the natal chart, it would be filled in, blacked out.

Not recommended.

The trick of working with asteroids, especially the 'name' asteroids is to be selective.

You want to choose those significant to the immediate question or investigation. If you're looking at relationship, for example, asteroid Eros, Psyche, Amor, Sappho, Cupido and Adonis are interesting to added, and others as well. And the 'name' of your beloved, or cute-curious new meet. You can use thir first name, surname or nickname.

Tips for studying Asteroid Astrology

Don't worry about spelling. If you are looking for Aaron but can only fine Aaryn 2366, go with the closest SOUND.

Stick to topic. Is it career, financial, love or family related? Sports or health. Decide, then check names.

Use generous orbs, but know the really tight ones, 0 - 1.5 degrees, are making the strongest statement.

Consider them by house and aspect first, then sign. I've found house placements real eye openers.

Transits count. Check where an important name (person) is transiting your chart today.

How do you read them?

Mostly they will show up as red flags, highlighters of talents, connection, or indications of interest.

With the mythic names, for example, if Hephaestus is conjunct the Sun, there could be an interest in craft, black-smithing and working with hand tools. If asteroid Shakespeare is conjunct the fifth house cups, work in the theater, play-writing or acting could be a form of creative expression. Hygiea conjunct the Moon could indicate working in women’s health. Icarus to Mercury might write or defend freedom of speech.

If your new love interest's name is conjunct the Sun, she/he might feel like a golden ray of light. Conjunct your Saturn and you might be wondering if they are ever away from work long enough to connect. Considering a new business partner? Put their name asteroid in your chart (and check by transit and progression) for hints on where they meet you. Is it 10th house biz, 11th house group collaboration, 6th house mind-body-spirit, 12th house mystery or maybe secrecy?

How to find these name asteroids in your chart?

Go to Astro.com and click on your natal chart.

Scroll down to Extended Chart Selection.

Scroll down to Asteroid name/number.

Check the box of the asteroids you want to see in your natal chart.

Exit list and 'click to show the chart'.

Examples of Asteroid Astrology in Action

Below is a quick example of the name asteroid Briggs in my natal chart, conjunct Mercury and in the 10th. This is the name of a man I married. We met on the job and had a very verbal, student-teacher dynamic (I was not the teacher at that point in time). Briggs is also the surname of my son who I have collaborated with on both music production projects and novels.

Also interesting in the above, asteroid Jason is conjunct the sun and I will say I've have more than my fair share of energy with that name in this lifetime!

Give it a go in your own natal chart, or any celeb etc you want to play with (like where the name asteroids fall for those the asteroid was named for.)

Questions and insights welcome in the comments.

See you there.

xxKimmy

PS. Another way to do it is go to the online Asteroid Ephemeris and type in your favorites as transits (the day's date) or on your birthday (for the natal positions) and then plot them in your chart.

Part One of Four on Intercepted Signs

The Law of Attraction says that like attracts like. Basically, we get what we vibrate, and astrology can help us understand exactly what it is we are vibrating. That's what's authentic and what's not. The astrological map is a very cool look into the depths of a person, a way to 'know thyself', especially when it comes to intercepted signs.

For everyone studying this symbol system, you may have come across the term, 'intercepted signs'. I've been getting emails asking to explain this phenomenon in more detail. Here we go!

First thing to know

The astrological chart is a map of the planets, sun and moon as seen from earth at the moment you were born. It consists primarily of PLANETS representing an inherent energy, the SIGNS indicates how the energy most naturally expresses, the HOUSES or environments where the energy is most at home expressing and the ASPECTS, the angular relationship between the planets.

Think of it as if the planets are the actors, the signs their costumes, the houses, the sets and the aspects the scripts. When it comes to intercepted signs, we are looking at hidden sets or stages and costumes we didn’t know we had! Here are some helpful definitions.

Intercepted Signs

A sign that is completely contained within a house and does not appear on either cusp. See image for reference.

Planets in Intercepted Signs

A planet that is intercepted within a house (it is in a sign that does not appear on either house cups.

Duplicated Signs

A sign that appears on two consecutive house cusps. (This is where a both house cusps fall within the same sign.)

House Systems

Note: The house system you use can alter both intercepted Signs/planets and Duplicated signs. The equal house system will never have interceptions or duplications. The further you are from the equator, the more you will encounter interceptions and duplications. Intercepted signs and duplicated signs always occur in pairs of opposites. This is an axis—what happens to one sign will always correspond identically to its opposite.

Resources

You'll find as you study that interpretations in textbooks vary. I learned my approach from Joanne Wickenburg and find her view most helpful for those trying to understand what this means for them and what they attract in their lives.

A Room within a Room

Think of the intercepted sign as a "room within a room". You enter the house (the stage or area of life) in a certain way only to discover there is a whole other experience there. For example, if you have Aquarius on the 7th house cusp (relationship to others) and Pisces intercepted within the 7th house, you may have an eccentric, unconventional and somewhat spacious approach to partnership (Aquarius) until you really get into one. Then it is like discovering a whole new world where those intellectually defined Aquarian boundaries melt into a sea of divine longing (Pisces). Where did that come from?

That’s how it feels, like a foreign country…until you understand it.

I’ll post more detailed examples in part two. If anyone wants to put their hand up to use their chart, let me know in the comments.

Mystery Chart Example

Here is the chart of a mystery person. Let's see what we can glean about them looking at the interceptions alone.

This mystery man (chart above) is a great example of the relationship between environment and intercepted signs/duplicated houses. It’s not so important to try and guess who he is (you will all recognize him soon enough) but better to play with how you think the interceptions weave into his life.

To approach this chart, look at the ways and means he might enter the houses where there are interceptions. What would that be like? What are his immediate needs as per sign on the cusp? Then, explore what might be discovered once in that house. What does the TARDIS look like, from the outside? From the inside? Image you are walking into that room with the theme of the sign on the cusp but you discover this closet (the intercepted sign) and as you explore it, a whole new world opens up.

And remember, the early environment may not have supported the needs of the intercepted sign, let alone living it out. What has to change? Check the duplicated signs for insights too!

Study Charts!

Work with this chart, and your own, asking the same questions. If you don’t have intercepted signs in your chart or an example from your own files, dive in and explore what others are posting. If you can link to your chart, all the better. This is, to me, a visual art. Let’s look at the horoscopes and let the symbols do their magic!

NOTE: If you’re stumped in finding interceptions, remember there are 12 signs of the zodiac and 12 houses. If you see two houses in a row with the same sign, then somewhere in the circle, there are two signs that do NOT have a houses cusp of their own. Start with Aries and go counterclockwise around the wheel. Does each house cusp has a unique sign? If not, who is missing out.

Mystery Man Revealed

This might be controversial, but Arnold Schwarzenegger is a hero of mine. For a particular reason – his powers of taking an imagined vision and turning it into reality, even when there is absolutely no reason to ever believe it would be possible.

However you feel about the man, he’s a great example of the ENVIRONMENTAL factors of an interception and how moving out of the limiting environment can open doors. You have to have the moxie to jump through them, and Arnold does.

History

Mr Schwarzenegger, Austrian-American actor, model, producer, director, activist, businessman, investor, writer, philanthropist, former professional bodybuilder, and politician started at ground zero. Minus zero. His father was a cop who hated him, favoring the older brother. He was abused and raised to believe he had no value. Under a severe and critical home live, there were no expectations that he would accomplish much of anything at all. Career wise, his mother hoped he would be lucky enough to be a tradesman/person.

Moving away from his 4th house home and 10th house social expectation was not easy, but as soon as he did, the impossible became a reality: Mr. Universe, opportunities in the state, Hollywood.

He was able to imagine (Pisces) and create in the face off all odds (Aries) like few people have ever done.

For example, after his first film tanked (his English was so bad it had to be dubbed), he was interviewed and the journalist said, “Now that Hollywood is a no go, what are your plans?”

He said, “I am going to be the number-one box-office star in all of Hollywood.”

The journalist laughed until he realized Arnold was serious. “How will you do that?” he asked.

Tapping the Intercepted Signs

“It’s the same process I used in bodybuilding,” Arnold explained. “What you do is create a vision of who you want to be, and then live into that picture as if it were already true.”

Can you see how the victimized Pisces MC morphed into a truly creative, audacious, Aries that then made him one of the most recognized men in his genre/field? Can you see how duplicated Leo on the second (talents, resources and values) put into the communication 3rd (English as a second language, expression) gave him the confidence and the credentials to move forward with his big screen career and on to teaching and his political office?

Success

The second Terminator was the number-one box-office hit. He was dead right.

There is so much more about this man’s life that can be explored via the interceptions (transits to the intercepted signs! That Neptune Libra in the home/secret relationships . . . )

Intercepted signs are not always this dramatic, but moving out of the cultural/home/family limitations/expectations is often the key to unlocking the power behind them. There is a link here to the notion of 'Karma' as well, which we will go into, in deltail, in our first course of 2017.

I wanted to look at Solar Returns in particular right now. This is the birthday chart, the perfect horoscope to read on or near your birthday. You can also to a demi-return at the halfway mark. Today we have an example for both the annual solar return and the demi return.

6 Minute Audio-Video tutorial on Planetary Returns

What are Solar Return Charts?

There are many astrological techniques that take the horoscope beyond its basic natal form. We can do progressions, transits, synastry, draconic, harmonics, composites, directions and more. And, we can do RETURN CHARTS!

A return is a chart drawn for the moment in time a natal planet returns to its exact birth position after completing a full orbit through the zodiac.

The MOON returns about every 28.5 days giving 13 LUNAR RETURNS a year. These charts portray inner and outer events from the perspective of feelings, emotions, security and survival.

Ever wonder why people say “Many happy returns” on your birthday? This is the return of the SUN to its exact birth position! Every 365 days, we have a Solar Return, occurring the day before, of, or after the birth date.

Solar and Planetary Returns

Solar returns portray inner and outer events based on individuation, the art of becoming who we are meant to be! It is like a preview of coming attractions for the new solar year.

MERCURY (mental and communicative) and VENUS (socially significant relationships and values) also return once a year within a month or so of the birthday.

The ASTEROIDS(between Venus and Jupiter) vary between 1 year to close to 12 years in their orbits. 433 Eros returns every 1.76 years, and describes experiences of erotic transformation. 16 Psyche returns every 5 years, and is about attuning to another through extrasensory abilities. 4450 Pan, returning every 3 years, is about raw creative energy, carnal drives and “panic” that leads to change. 4 Vesta, returning every 3.63 years, is about devotion, ritual, dedication to beliefs and sex as spiritual transformation.

JUPITER returns every 12 years, and has to do with our search for meaning and purpose, confidence and creative will.

SATURN returns every 28-29 and can reflect our sense of responsibility, maturity and power to build material foundations.

CHIRON and the other Centaurs return about every 51 years or more (for Kuiper Belt objects). Chiron returns are about healing, teaching and the preparation of the hero. How will we be heroic in this later stage of life?

URANUS returns every 84 and connects us with out sense of freedom, audacity and willingness to step outside of boundaries. Neptune and Pluto return every 164 years and 248 respectively. These outer planets do not return in the known span of a human life.

Sedna returns ever 11,000 years or so; clearly not applicable for this technique!Solar, Lunar, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn return charts are the most frequently used, though any return (or demi-return, or phase return) can be valuable. The major planet returns give the broad strokes, the asteroid returns add subtle and fine details.

Creating a Planetary Return without an astro program

How do we read return charts?

As in all techniques, practice and experience brings a natural flow and familiarity. Here are some guidelines:

Return charts “last” from the moment of the return (or a bit before) until the following one. If you are doing a Venus return and the planet goes retrograde across the birth position a month later, a new return chart is created. When it goes direct across the birth point, another return is drawn.

Any return chart is read against the backdrop of the natal chart, not in isolation.

Location may be set for the birth place or the current residence. I use the birth place though other astrologers prefer re-location. Experiment for yourself on this.

Consider the orientation of the planet you are returning. A Venus return isn’t going to tell you a lot about meaning, purpose, knowledge and wisdom, but it can indicate social interactions, partnerships and changing values.

Lunar returns are great for feelings, but not so much about responsibilities in the pragmatic world.

Pay special attention to the returns of your chart ruler—the planet that rules the sign on your Ascendant. (I use traditional rulerships for this—Scorpio-Mars, Aquarius-Saturn, Pisces-Jupiter).

Suggested Steps

1. Look at the overall pattern of the return chart. Is it a splash, indicating diverse interests and activities? Is it a bundle pattern, suggesting a focus of interest in the occupied houses? Check the hemispheric emphasis. How does this correlate to the natal patterns? If the person has a natal sew-saw pattern and has a return chart bowl pattern, how comfortable will they be with it?

2. Look at the orientation of the signs emphasized. What is the strongest modality? Element? Polarity? What’s missing? How does that related back to the natal chart? Someone who has a natal emphasis in Cardinal Fire may have a lot to learn about practicality if the return chart emphasizes Fixed Earth. Take the declinations into consideration too! (And the Dwads)

3. What sign is on the Return Ascendant? That will bring the corresponding natal sign/house to the foreground, giving it first house importance. What houses are occupied? Stelliums? Where does the Natal Ascendant degree fall in the Return chart?

4. Look at the signs on the cusps. They indicate needs and drives and offerings. Aries in the return chart is where we want to start something new. Taurus is where we ground things practically. Gemini is where we get curious and want to learn. Think of each house as an area of life and the sign on the cusp as a symbol of the orientation, needs and wants in relationship to that area of life.

5. Check the aspects in the return chart. A lot of oppositions could indicate the need for objectivity and choices. Trines could coincide with ease or even lack of drive. Squares are struggles that get things moving. Look back at the natal chart to see how the solar return aspects compare. How will a natal Venus/Mars conjunction handle a solar return Venus/Mars opposition?

6. Place the return planets in the natal chart and read as a transit chart, then put them back in the return chart to interpret as the outcome of those transits.

7. Check the Lunar nodes, the house placement of the return planet in both return and natal charts (Sun in solar returns, Moon in Lunar returns etc.), interceptions, the house placement of the ruler of the return chart, both natal and return, any planets rising in the return chart (natal or return) and aspects between the return and natal planets and points. You can also look at the vertex, some Arabic parts, midpoints, asteroids and fixed stars. Keep orbs tights!

Example Solar Return

First let's look at Janette's Solar Return. What are the first few things that suggest a fabulous new solar year? To start with, what house comes to the foreground? What chart tone? Chart pattern? Rising planets? Me us in the comments to unravel the mystery.

Example Demi Solar Return

Kim's Natal Chart

Solar Return Declination Table

It's a mouthful, but I have a quick video tutorial to cover the astronomy involved. Don't worry if it doesn't sink in straight away. There won't be a quiz. We'll cover questions in the comments, and focus more on the practical results of having a parallel or contra-parallel aspect.

Learn about Parallel Aspects of Declination

Parallel Aspects Defined

The Parallel Aspect of Declination is formed between two or more planets with the same declination or distance north or south of the ecliptic. If the planets are both North or both South of the ecliptic, the parallel aspect is read as a conjunction. If they are the same declination but one is North and one is South, then the contra-parallel is read as a 180 degree opposition.

These aspects are strongest when the orb is kept to 1 degree or less, so unlike a square where we allow up to 10 degrees of orb, the parallels are allowed 1 or maybe 1.25 degrees.

Why are Parallel Aspects Important?

Parallels connect planets that may not otherwise be in aspect. They also magnify the intensity of any other aspect between the two planets or points involved. So if you have Mars sextile Saturn AND Mars parallel Saturn, you have a whole lot of Mars/Saturn contact going on.

The best way to get a handle on this is by example so everyone can get out their chart. (You can upload yours in the gallery, if you are a GVA Circle Member or Registered for Open Memberhship, if you want to share, check or discuss.) When you get your chart up you will see a list called 'declination' on the ‘additional tables (PDF)' option. If you are using another program or an ephemeris, look for the list of daily ‘declinations’.

They will look like this: 20°35’27” N (the N is for North. North is also represented by a + and South by a -). Make a list of any planets that are within one degree of declination + or - in your natal chart. If both are + or both – they are parallel. If one is + and the other – they are contra-parallel.

Examples

For example I have the Pluto at 23°17’46” N declination and the Jupiter at 23°21′ 7″ N so Jupiter and Pluto are parallel. They form wide sextile aspect by sign, so this parallel is an additional emphasis, pulling them into closer contact. Make sense?

We use the parallel and contra-parallel to discover planetary connections. It's also important in transits.

To demonstrate, here is a list or outer planet declination right now. Check to see if these are in aspect (1 degree orb) to any of your natal degrees.

Also, check your declination list for natal parallels and contra-parallels. They also progress and can be used in return charts, horary, event charts, etc. If you use them in your synastry chart comparisons, you'll find connections otherwise missed.

Give a shout if you want some help. I or other declination savvy GVA'ers will lend a hand.

You can take a screenshot of your declination list from astro.com and post that in the gallery too.

Hi Everyone, I want to share a technique I think you will find very useful. The Solar Chart!

A Brief History of Solar Chart Astrology

Solar Chart, AKA Solar Houses, Sun Sign Houses or even Sun Sign Astrology. It’s used in both eastern and western schools, with tropical, sidereal or Draconic zodiacs. Solar Charts were developed by ancient astrologers, went underground, then resurfaced in the 1930s when horoscope columns started appearing in newspapers and magazines.

You can use Solar Charts as a handy way to create a birth horoscope when there is an unknown birth time, or, as a predictive tool. It's also a cool way to look at daily transits. You definitely want to get a handle on this if you’re going to write sun sign columns!

Solar Charts are simple, easy and effective. Here’s what you need to know.

Creating the Solar Chart

Solar charts are created by putting the natal sun sign on the Ascendant and using whole houses from there.

For example, if you are a Leo with Scorp rising in the Placidus house system, in the solar house system you would place zero degrees of Leo (the Sun sign) on the Ascendant. Zero Virgo is on the 2nd house cusp, zero Libra on the third and so on. If you are a sun in Aquarius, then zero Aquarius goes on the Ascendant, zero Pisces on the 2nd house, zero Aries on the 3rd and so on. Whatever sign of the zodiac the Sun is in, zero degrees of that becomes the first house, and then zero degrees of the sign after that becomes the second house, right around the clock. Try that right now with your own chart.

Practice Makes Perfect

Task #1 Hand drawn your solar houses chart, placing the planets where they fall with zero degrees of your sun sign as the Ascentant. It might be only marginally different, or maybe wildly different!

There doesn’t appear to be an option for Solar Houses in Astro.com’s drop-down box, but hand working charts is a wonderful practice and connects you to the symbols by drawing them in. You can down-load and print this blank wheel, or google one of your choice,

NOTE: The technique of putting the Sun sign on the ascendant to create a whole sign house system can be done with ANY of the planets. Your Venus houses puts zero degrees of your Venus sign on the ascendant and then zero degrees of the next sign on the 2nd house … your Mercury houses puts your Mercury sign on the Ascendant (which is always the sigh before, the sign of or the sign after the sun), the Saturn houses puts your Saturn sign on the Asc etc. Each planetary house chart can be used to understand more how the nature of that planet sits in your chart. You’ll see the Solar Houses most often though as the significance of the Sun in our culture (distinction, individuality, life purpose) is elevated.

How does the Solar Chart House System Work?

If you want to write the horoscopes for the day, you do a Solar Chart for noon that day for EACH sign. So there is a chart with Aries on the Ascendant, Taurus Ascendant, Gemini Ascendant etc. Practicing astrologers will do one for Aries and ‘turn the wheel’ to place each signs on the Ascendant, but effectively there is a solar chart for each sign.

Below is the example of the full moon done as a solar chart for Aries and one for Taurus. I didn’t create all 12 sign solar houses, but you get the idea of ‘turning the wheel’.

In writing a horoscope column, one approach is to focus on the solar houses that the sun and moon fall in for each sign: Aries has this lunar event in the 2nd and 8th so we might talk about core values and shared resources. “Money troubles with and ex . . .” With Taurus’ solar house chart, it’s right on the Ascendant so personal desires versus share desires are highlighted. It might be “Partnerships shine a light on your happiness meter …”

If you want to really study how this works, do a chart for noon each day, put 0 Aries on the Ascendant and ‘turn the wheel’ for each sign as you read Mystic’s horoscopes. Try this yourself, writing your own take, to practice interpreting the daily planets. It’s a valuable exercise.

What else can you say about April 22nd for Aries versus Taurus?

What is Mars Rx doing in these solar charts, for example? Where will Mercury go retrograde? The Venus/Uranus conjunction? Ideas?

Solar Chart Houses for natal readings and transits “predictions”

You can play with your own solar houses with transits, checking where major events are occurring by house. For example, I have Mars Rx in my 4th house using the (usual) Placidus system, but in my solar houses it’s going through my 7th! And guess what? I can relate to home energy AND partnership energy! You can also look at solar versus traditional ascendant charts for natal interpretations.

Don’t think of one being ‘better’ than the other or one being ‘right; and the other being ‘wrong’. Both give us information but with a different emphasis.

You will be amazing at how accurate Solar House Charts can be.

More Examples

Here are two charts of Judy Garland to compare, one done in the Placidus system and the other in the Solar House system. The Solar Chart turns the wheel, but not by much. She still has Uranus in the 10th, but let’s look at the placement of the personal planets to start with.

In her Placidus chart she has Cancer rising and oh boy . . . she had that watery, emotional, warmth . . . people would say she always looked like she was about to cry when she sang, even uplifting songs. Very Cancer/Kataka ‘shop window’. We might say that Venus in the first house gave her incredible charm, and the 12th house sun, perhaps, expressed through her times institutionalized … the drug abuse and depression (which is of course is only one way a 12th house sun might find to express, but the 12th does represent hospitals and institutions).

Now let’s check the Solar chart – The stellium of planets in her 2nd house speaks of her VOICE as a talent. Here the sun is in the first house and on stage, people saw her as extremely versatile, flighty, unpredictable.

Her Placidus house chart has Cappy ruling the 7th and the Part of Fortune there which might suggest long-term, enduring and committed relationships in business and marriage. But the Solar chart tells another story. Mars in the 7th in Saggo certainly isn’t always violent/cruel partners but Judy had 5 marriages and reported such aggression in more than one. Where Saggo is in the chart, things expand (more than one?) Don’t fence me in?) and Mars, well, he is the god of war. Maybe she could have partnered with a martial arts academy director and found success and delight, but that’s not the way she went.

Transits to Solar Chart Houses

Note that in March 1955, when Judy was up for an Academy Award for her performance in A Star is born, Jupiter was conjunct her Venus, Saturn trine her Venus. In the Placidus chart it occurred in the first house, angular and full of portend of success. Everyone expected her to win. But in her Solar Houses we see it falls in the 2nd of core values and self esteem. It was a shock to everyone that she didn’t win the award. At the time, she was in hospital having just given birth to a son. Perhaps the Solar Chart reflects a different kind of success and purpose.

She died of a barbiturate overdose at age 47 with Jupiter/Uranus/Pluto conjunct in the 4th house, either chart. As Jupiter represent expansion, freedom and new horizons, I like to think that Judy Garland found a welcome home.

The best way to understand the Solar Houses system is to use it. Let’s start now with your own charts. Check your house positions of personal planets and compare/contrast. Take a current transits (Venus/Uranus conjunct in Aries perhaps) and check where that is in both solar and Placidus houses.

What are Secondary Progressions?

Commonly known simply as Progressions, this is a type of ‘transit chart’ with a rich and useful history. Let’s cover the basics so you can jump right in. I think you'll find secondary progressions amazing to work with.

Progression

noun

noun: progression; plural noun: progressions

1.

the process of developing gradually towards a more advanced state.In astrology it means ADVANCING the chart forward to show the life trends and development for the individual by advancing the chart “a day for a year”.

Technical Notes

There are a few ways to progress a chart including solar arc directions, primary progressions, tertiary progressions, converse progressions (progressing backward!). Today, We’ll focus on Secondary Progressions, probably the most commonly used. They are the ones I use 90% of the time.

Create Your Secondary Progressions

Go to Astro.com and click on extended chart selection. Then choose from the drop-down “Natal and Progressed Chart”. Add whatever asteroids and points you want. I suggest you learn the primary planets first) and click “show chart”.

From there, if you click it again, you will have the PRINT VERSION, which is the chart you can 1) save to your computer 2) upload to Drop box or photo bucket etc.

Ten Tips for reading secondary progressions

1) Secondary Progressions are ‘a day for a year’

The thing to keep in mind is you are creating a chart based on “a day for a year” where you “progress” the chart forward depending on how old you are. Example: If you were born May 1st, of any year, and wanted to look at your progressed chart for when you turned 26, you count forward in the ephemeris, from the day AFTER your birthday, 26 days, and that shows your progressed planetary positions. (See image #2) If you are 30, it’s the chart done for 30 DAYS after. If you are 50, then 50 days after. The computer (or hand) calculation is more precise, but you can look at the ephemeris for the year in question and get a very good idea of your progressed chart.

2) Slower moving planets don't usually count

What you’ll find right away is that the slower moving planers barely move. Pluto may only change a few degrees in a lifetime, so unlike transits, the OUTER PLANETS are less significant. The progressed Moon, however, moves at the rate of 2.5 years per sign (as the real-life moon travels 2.5 days per sign). The Sun, Mercury and Venus travel about 1 degree a year and Mars Varies.

3) What to watch

The progressed Ascendant, Moon and inner planets are the ones you want to watch. Like any transit chart, always relate the progressions BACK to the NATAL chart. You can read it as a standalone, but ONLY if you think of WHAT has been progressed in relationship to the Natal.

4) Transit versus Secondary Progressions

Transits are the daily motion of the planets. We use them to understand significant inner and outer events. The progressions show the ‘day for a year’ advancement of the birth cart. Here’s how Isabel Hickey in the 1950s described the difference. (Long before ‘law of attraction’ became popularized).

The progressed chart works from within, showing the changes of consciousness occurring in the individual, bringing changes in the outer world. Only by changing our attitudes and consciousness first can we change what will manifest in the world around us. With the support of progressions, we can change our thoughts before they manifest negatively, as we have the power and the privilege of changing events before they “happen”.

I agree with her. The progressed chart can give us powerful insights into what’s coming up and how we might want to THINK about it to deliberately create what we want, using the energy to propel us forward in our lives.

5) The progressed Ascendant

The secondary progression Ascendant moves about a degree a year + or -. If everyone would like to find their progressed Ascendant to start with, we will launch from there. It might be a good time to review some of the qualities of the Ascendant sign, and the identity awareness they bring. It is ALWAYS significant when the progressed Ascendant changes sign. Think of it as a new dressing in your shop window to the world!

6) The Progressed Moon – Orbs and Aspects

The prog Moon is the fastest moving progressed planet, moving about 1 degree a month.

We only allow ONE degree of orb for progressed aspects (where transits can go up to 10 degrees of orb) so with the moon, you are looking at one month before (the degree before exact), the month of exact and one month after – a three month time frame for the progressed conjunction, or other aspect, vibe. The sign, house and aspect will be significant and relate to your true feelings at the time. For example, when the progressed moon comes up to conjunct your Mars, the month before, of, and after will HEAT up emotions in that area of life, depending on what house it is in. If your Mars isn’t happy ie, you aren’t the boss of you, leading the way to new adventures, you will FEEL it. If you are expressing your Mars, you’ll have strong feelings of joy and bliss! You can’t predict if it will feel ‘good or bad’ unless you know how aligned you are with the core energy of the planets.

The HOUSE the moon progresses through is where the focus is for about 2.5 years. It tells you WHERE you can get in touch with what you really want in new ways. It activates the house! Think of it as a massive core value check in. What feels nurturing to you now?

The best way to see how this works is to check the Prog. Moon in action. Go to your current progressed chart and spot the moon. Plot that in your natal chart and discern:

1) the house/area of life of focus
2) the sign that is wanting to wake up in you (add to your identity)
3) the aspects to natal planets and points, within one degree.
4) some astrologers consider not just the Progressed to Natal aspects but the Progressed to Progressed aspects. I look at them as an overall indicator of change (as when a natal applying aspect comes to exact, or goes out of orb) but focus first on Prog to Natal).

7) The Progressed Sun

The prog sun moves about a degree a year, so contacts from it last about three years – the degree before exact, the degree of and the degree after exact. Think of the progressed sun as shining a spotlight on the house, planet or aspect it connects with. Also note when your prog sun changes signs (every 30 years after the first change). It adds a new flavor to your sense of individuality, purpose and power.

8) Change of Direction

Note when a progressed planet changes direction. You might have been born with Mercury Rx and 20 years later, your progressed Mercury turns direct. Or you might find that when you turn 45, your progressed Venus turns Rx. These changes of direction are always significant. You are able to see, and utilize, the energy of the planet in new ways. For example: My natal Mars is 8 Capricorn rx and it’s been progressed at 26 Sagittarius Rx for most of my life. It will turn direct when I’m 68. I’ll let you know! I was also born with Saturn Rx and when I turned 36 it went direct for the first time in my life. I never really felt free until then!

9) Ingress by Sign and House

When a progressed planet changes signs, either moving from 29 to 0 or 0 to 29 Rx, that is always a BIG shift. Use the new energy to expand your playing field, broaden your perspective and embody the energy the sign represents. Same goes with leaving one house and entering another. What new area of life are you ready to explore?

10) Check list

Here's your secondary progressions check list:

Progressed Ascendant - What natal house is it in? Sign? Aspects to the natal? Advanced: Note progressed decan and dwads when they change.

Progressed Aspects - to use are the conjunction and opposition. You can consider more, but these are the ones you look for first. They usually matter most.

Progressed Moon – What’s it saying about your feeling body, health, and how you nurture yourself and others?

But, I took it a step further though, adapting the Wheel of Life into the horoscope of 12 houses:

Create the Astro-Wheel of Live

What you do is, at the start of each house, give it a score of 0 - 10. Zero means you do not engage with the activities of this house in any way, shape or form. Ten means you're rocking it to the moon.

Next, connect the dots to get a map or where you are putting your focus and where you are not.

If the intention is to live a balanced life, or if you find you have personal planets in a house that you don't touch with a ten fool poll, or if there is 'nothing happening' in a house with massive transit activity, you might want to tune in, listen and explore.

Here's my example for January 2016. I'm going to go through it again and see if there is a shift, and also do it over a chart with transits!

Example of the Astro-Wheel of Live at Work

I'm pretty sure these results can vary according to mood and general vibe, but it's basically the same as January.

Note that Neptune and Chiron by transit aren't getting much of a look-in when it comes to the 7th house. I will say that my biz partnerships are up, but there's a strong 'lone wolf' in me right now that could easily be resistance to Neptune or the illusion of loss.

Soon I'll be signing a book contract, so my plan is to OPEN my heart to the 7th, fearlessly and with compassion. No more hiding! Pisces is where we can 'disappear' which is cool for 12th house activities but I want to find a way to make this work in the 7th.

This is a quick tutorial, but if you spend a little time working it by hand, you’ll have a chance to engage more deeply with what this point represents.

What is the Part of Fortune?

The Part of Fortune (not to be confused with asteroid 19 Fortuna) is a point in the chart that indicates a certain kind of well being. Think abundance, richness, happiness and joy. Knowing where this point is in your natal chart can be a key to tapping into your own personal brand of fulfillment. The symbol for the Part of Fortune is the circle with an X (astro.com uses a cross though that is traditionally the symbol for Earth).

A little history: The Arabic parts or lots are points in the chart combining planets and angles. They aren’t really all Arabic, but were compiled in 1029 AD by an Arab, so they copped the tag. Some definitely predate Islamic astrology.

We’re going to focus on the Part of Fortune in this hack, but know there are many Arabic parts from the Part of Action to the Part of Health to the Part of Marriage, Part of Disgrace . . . (oh boy). Choose wisely which of these you focus on as energy follows thought . . .

Important Note: The POF is always the same distance from the Ascendant as the Moon is from the sun. In other words, the POF is symbolic of the Sun/Moon phase. So if you have a New Moon the POF will be in the first, full moon, POF in 7th, first or third quarter, 10th or 4th.

Also note, the point 180 opposite the POF is called the Part of Spirit. You might want to play with that too.

Finding the Part of Fortune

Calculation Via Computer: This is easily done at Astro.com by including it in extended chart selection.

click “My Astro”

click the natal chart you want to view

scroll down to “Extended Chart Selection”

scroll down on the left hand side to “Additional Objects”

choose Part of Fortune

create chart

If you want to try it, calculating by hand is a way to connect to the meaning of the POF more literally. Follow this tutorial on Youtube.

Homework

Find your Part of Fortune and note what modality, element and house it is in. What planet “rules” the sign your POF is in?
How do you nurture this part of you? Activities of the house? Feeding it by element? Modality? House activity?

Before we start discussing the Part of Fortune, comparing different placements, feel free to watch this short tutorial on the Day/Night Part of Fortune. Those with a nighttime birth will be particularly interested.

As an example of how the POF might function in a chart, look at this natal horoscope above. Before I reveal who it is, list a few things that you imagine would resonate for them. What might really light this person up, or bring them success, abundance, health and joy? We aren’t trying to guess who it is, but, using what we know about the Part of Fortune, what do you think happiness looks like to them?

Example Chart

The chart above belongs to Charles Dickens ...

Not just an amazing storyteller (POF in 3rd), his critical social commentary slammed the class system in Victorian society. He shocked readers (POF conjunct Uranus) out of complacency, revealing the ugly, horrific truths of poverty and injustice. His works are deeply emotional, dark and fearless in the exploration of death, grief and transformation (POF in Scorpio).

He had audacity, speaking out against slavery while touring in the South. He used his celebrity status as a platform for social change, and people listened. His love of debate was evident in Bleak House with its court cases and legal arguments. True to Scrop, when he killed off one of the main, and most sympathetic, characters in the serialized “Old Curiosity Shop” his readers where so shocked, so outraged, he received hundreds of death threats. But they kept reading. His popularity was unprecedented in his time. Any time!

Note, sun in the 5th, in Aquarius, he had 10 children and fought for children’s rights and education.

I think dying with his last novel, one unlike any of the others, half finished, is POF in Scorp in the 3rd’s way of singing off. or flipping us off. He grew more and more critical with age. (Saturn in the 4th?)

Read about his life with his chart in hand. It’s amazing to connect the dots.

Extra Credit

In ancient times, the Part of Fortune represented another kind of house system. Whatever sign the POF was in, that becomes 0 degrees of the Ascendant. In the chart above, the “Fortune” chart would turn the dial clockwise until 0 Scorpio was on the Ascendant. They’d use whole houses, so 0 Sagittarius would be on the 2nd house cusp, 0 Capricorn on the 3rd etc. It would be used to guide prosperity and health.

Try this, for fun, but only if you feel ready to take it further. There’s plenty to discover with the POF by house and sign, in your natal chart! Do what feels good. No stress.

Keep it simple.

Here are some key words to get your started with POF by sign and by house.

Nail that first before you head to aspect and transit land.

Part of Fortune in Aries needs to feel adventurous, questing, challenging, leading and winning.Part of Fortune in Taurus needs to feel sensual, practical in natural ways with tangible results.Part of Fortune in Gemini needs to feel intellectual, communicative, teaching and learning.Part of Fortune in Cancer needs to feel needed, nurturing, protective and comforting.Part of Fortune in Leo needs to feel special, honored, creative and flamboyant.Part of Fortune in Virgo needs to feel discerning, articulate, detailed and analyzing.Part of Fortune in Libra needs to feel fair, balanced, beautiful and harmonizing.Part of Fortune in Scorpio needs to feel intense, deeply entrenched, powerful and in control.Part of Fortune in Sagittarius needs to feel expansive, exploratory, meaningful and energized.Part of Fortune in Capricorn needs to feel ambitious, productive, achieving and recognized.Part of Fortune in Aquarius needs to feel detached, knowledgeable, humanitarian and free.Part of Fortune in Pisces needs to feel merged, understood, compassionate and connected.

I want to pop some myths on this astrological body, and hopefully show you the deeper meaning of Chrion, so let's get started.

There's no other asteroid identified solely with one, teeny-tiny, aspect of its mythology than Chrion. You all know it. The wound. It's like being remembered for that one thing you did in high school after 3rd period, even when you're a mid-life rocking it entrepreneur or climbing Mt Everest. Today I invite you to take a more holistic view of Chiron and what he represents. I promise, it's not always about the damn wound!

Chiron Astronomy

Chiron is a maverick ‘planetoid’ orbiting between Saturn and Uranus. As an astronomical body, he's hard to pin down. Discovered in 1977, Chiron was first labelled asteroid 2060 but later, after brightening by 75% and growing a tail, he was designated a comet. His size is large, his orbit eccentric and he is not alone. There are more and more ‘Centaurs’ being discovered with much the same quirks ( Pholus, Nessus and Asbolus, for example). Chiron now holds the title of 'Planetoid' or dwarf planet, along with Ceres, Pluto and Eris.

Chiron Mythology

It's true. In myth, Chiron had troubles right from birth. His father was Saturn who seduced his mother Philyra. Unfortunately, the seduction was cut short when the lovers were caught by Saturn’s wife. To get away, the king of the Titans turned himself into a horse and ran, but the resultant child was Chiron—a centaur with the body of a horse and the torso of a human.

His mother Philyra took one look at the horse/child and freaked. She begged the gods take him, which they did after turning her into a lemon tree. (there is always a price) Rejected by his mother, ignored by his father and outcast of mortals and centaurs alike, Chiron turned to knowledge and wisdom for comfort.

As a result, he became one of the greatest thinkers and healers of his time. He taught the likes of Achilles, Actaeon and Jason, training them to be ultimate heroes. He was expert in herb lore, astrology and what today would be considered 'martial arts' or the art of war, battle and hand-to-hand. (Chiro is the Latin root word for Hand - think chiropractics!) He created the first gymnasium and was not without love. Chiron married Chariclo, who bore him three daughters, Endeis, Melanippe and Ocyrrohe, who inherited the gift of prophesy.

One small aspect of his mythos is, indeed, the wounding. He was accidentally stabbed by an arrow dipped in the blood of the Hydra (Hercules had perhaps been drinking?). It meant instant death, but because Chiron was immortal, he could not die. So began the well publicized suffering, which lasted until he was allowed to exchange places with Prometheus in the underworld (minus the chains and hungry eagle). It worked out well for all concerned.

Chiron Astrology

Astrologically, when you look at Chrion in your chart, and by transit, I invite you to consider the whole story. Play with the meaning of the archetype: the personal trainer, the life coach, the cheering section and the wise old man, the astrologer, the Zen master, the martial artist (Bruce Lee with his Chiron conjunct Pluto in Leo in the 8th). And yes, the archetype of the wounded healer may have a role too, in making us whole, strong and released from our perspective of suffering.

Chiron is 'the spirit of culture' who passes his knowledge on through the arts of healing, philosophy, astrology, music, martial arts and storytelling. He also symbolizes extreme sports, body building, strength and fitness.

As the brilliant astrologer and journalist, Dennis Elwell says, Chiron instills in us the audacity to attempt!

That's a 180 from suffering victim that I invite you to experience.

To understand Chiron in your own chart, and by transit, first you must 'see' who he is to you. Where you find him in your natal chart is where your personal trainer resides. It's where you can overcome any victim MO and find the audacity to carpe diem, seize the day.

By transit, think of Chiron showing up on your doorstep, asking hard questions about what you have done so far with your life, your strength, your mind, your body, your brilliance.

Homework

Task one: Find Chiron in your natal chart and put together a few sentence story about this body by sign, house and aspect. Example: I have Chiron in Capricorn in the 5th house and trine the Sun. I find my greatest cheering section (Chiron) when I take responsibility for my own well being (Capricorn) and express my creative dreams (5th) through my life goals (Sun). OR I get over myself (Chiron tough love) when I become self sufficient (Capricorn) and stop trying to get lovers (5th house) to fulfill my dreams (Sun).

Task two: Find where Chrion is transiting (in 2016 he is between 20 and 24 Pisces - use this online ephemeris to pin it down to exact. What part of your chart (house? planets? Angles) has hired Chiron as a personal trainer/mentor? This is where you show up! Get fit!

Chiron Return

For anyone coming up on their Chrion Return this year (where your natal Chiron is between 20 and 24 degrees of Pisces), CELEBRATE! Dare to be different. Allow for that audacity because if you do, it will change your life in magnificent ways. Example - on my Chiron return I left a secure but boring day job to return to university (with almost no income and no guarantees). The process boosted my confidence and gave me an edge that turned a creative dream of being a novelist into an ongoing reality. I was scared at first. Confronted. Way outside my comfort zone . . . and I bless Chrion every day for giving me that audacity to attempt!

What are these houses?

The derivative houses have been around for a long time. They are used extensively in horary astrology, but that’s not all. By looking at your natal chart, they can shine a spotlight on other people in your life, showing how you naturally experiences them in different situations. It can really help with deliberate creation and getting into alignment with what you really want.

Derivative houses are also a great tool for finding where joy, abundance, talents and showing where skills, stimulation, contrast and excitement can be found. So, by looking at the natal placements and signs through this lens, as well as considering transits, progressions and synastry placements, the derivative houses offer a wealth of information and insight, explain some quirky MO’s, and line us up, Astro-LOA style. To get a quick grasp, watch this 5 minute tutorial, then come back and we’ll have some fun with individual charts. (it’s all about turning the wheel!)

How to Use Derivative Houses

Now for some fun examples! Who wants to volunteer? Let me know in the comments and we’ll play with ‘turning the wheel’ so you can all practice. (I’ll be putting charts up here, but without the birth data for privacy!

Example #1 – Jacqueline – Her questions are around business, health and home.

Jacaqueline's Chart

Here is Jacque’s natal chart. Her first question is about business, so we look to the 10th house. With the South Node there, part of her really needs to ‘let go of outcomes’ which isn’t an easy vibe for Aries Rising! So we will use derivative houses to get some hints on what will support her best ever business vibe. To do so, we’ll turn the chart to put the 10th house, or MC, on the horizon, making it of first house importance.

With the 10th on the first, we see right away that of the actions she listed: coaching one-on-one, group programs, writing/blogging, product creation, the first and most supportive is going to be, ‘get thee a business plan! The 2nd from the 10th (the $$ and support form business) is ruled by Capricorn with Saturn in the house! Set a goal. Set an intention. Aries rising likes to wing it, and Libra can shilly shally, but the Saturn in you wants to have a solid, grounded, well organized plan. Just doing that OPENS the doors to support, success and increased $$. (Note – the plan itself doesn’t matter. You simply amp up your success by making one).

The Next thing would be to go with the one-on-one coaching. Can you see why I would choose this as major support? Look at her Libra (connect, talk, counsel, coach) Sun and Venus! When we turn the chart to put the 10th on the horizon, the Sun and Venus in Libra are in the 10th house of success! (the 10th from the 10th is the 7th). One on one will support her more than group work (where she has Mars/Neptune – 11th from the 10th – which is super creative, and mystical, but may lose focus in groups – or the group is about as easy to lead as a room full of cats). Making sense?

Jacqueline’s Chart with the 10th house on the horizon – we have turned the wheel until house 10 is rising.

Turning the wheel

Writing supports her when she is on the perfect-for-Jacque-path as we see the North Node in the 2nd (support) house from the 3rd (writing).

For health boost, the best suggestion is a personal trainer, running buddy, cohort or side kick. Not that when we put the 6th house on the horizon, Jupiter (for enthusiasm and gusto) is in the 8th. (1st house is 8 from the 6th). That means sharing this journey with a buddy. Also, Saturn (stick to it discipline) is in the 6th (daily routine) from the 6th (health) so she’s going to want to, again, have a plan, and bring a friend.

As for the 4th house of the Home, roots, and ground, when that comes to the horizon, we see the Moon ruling her 2nd (support) from the 4th (home) and that means, self-love. Whatever makes her smile, feels nurturing and comforting, she wants to do more of that. This is a Cancer moon, and Cancer moon is nurtured by 1) loving and caring 2) feeling needed/useful 3) sharing emotions. I am seeing this is perfect alignment with self-care, home, health and successful one-on-one coaching practice (where she is needed, useful and sharing powerful emotions).